Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday signed agreements in Tunis on defence, investment and the environment.

The Turkish president and his Tunisian counterpart expressed their determination to boost economic cooperation.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Wednesday said Turkey is committed to increasing Tunisian imports and trade exchanges that amount to over $1.5 billion, between both countries.

“This pledge is strengthened by Turkey’s readiness to help Tunisia overcome the trade deficit,” he said at a joint press conference with President Beji Caid Essebsi held on Wednesday at the Carthage Palace.

The Tunisian President commended “the understanding shown by the Turkish president regarding these circumstances”.

“Turkey supports Tunisia in difficult times,” said Erdogan. “The development of Tunisia is the development of Turkey.”

Erdogan said he hoped to “reinforce our economic ties, particularly in commerce and investments, and develop cooperation in the energy, tourism and agriculture sectors”.

The Turkish delegation was keen to increase the importation of Tunisian products such as olive oil and phosphate, he added.

The Palestinian issue and the crisis in neighbouring Libya were also on the agenda for talks between the two presidents.

Erdoğan also voiced Turkey’s readiness to grant Tunisia a $300 million loan to energise its development process.

“Turkey had already granted Tunisia a $100 million donation,” he recalled.

Erdoğan pays a two-day state visit to Tunisia at the invitation of Caid Essebsi.